With those pesky mosquitoes hanging around the Grand Prairie during harvest and the approaching flu season, Beth Earlywine, retired from the Arkansas Department of Health, was the speaker Thursday at the Stuttgart Kiwanis Club meeting.

Earlywine, who was employed by ADH in this region for many years, informed the members of the health issues of the region, such as West Nile virus and the Influenza virus.

"Those mosquitoes you see in the rice fields aren’t the problem, as much as the ones near your home," Earlywine said. "The type of mosquitoes that carry the West Nile virus live and lay their eggs in our own yards and neighborhoods.

"We haven't had any reports of West Nile virus this year in this area," Earlywine said. "We want to keep it that way."

Mosquitoes lay their eggs in any stagnant water available, that means ditches, old tires or anything that is common and noticeable around homes and neighborhoods.

"Everyone can do their part to help make the home and neighborhood mosquito free," Earlywine said.

There are things everyone can do to avoid mosquitoes in the yard:

• Replace birdbaths (twice a week)

• Replace pet water bowls (twice a week)

• Replace wading pools (twice a week)

• Keep water from collecting in things such as ice chests, minnow buckets, toys,wheelbarrows and boats.

• Get rid of cans, bottle or things that hold water and provide a place for mosquitoes to breed.

"Don't let mosquitoes make their home in your yard," Earlywine said. "They lay thousands of eggs to produce more mosquitoes."

Earlywine said another health risk is influenza, which causes many people to go to the doctor, miss work and spread the virus to other people. The solution is to get the shot."

"There is going to be a massive flu clinic in Stuttgart and DeWitt this year and we encourage everyone to participate," Earlywine said.

The massive flu clinic will be held from 9 a.m to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23, at the Grand Prairie Center in Stuttgart and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2,5 at the Grand Prairie Center in DeWitt. For more information contact the Arkansas County Health Unit in Stuttgart at (870) 673-1609 or the DeWitt office at (870) 946-2934.